Roasted Cauliflower Chicken Sheet Pan (Printable)

Seasoned chicken thighs and roasted cauliflower florets on one pan. Tender, flavorful, and ready in under an hour. Serves 4.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, approximately 1.1 lb

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets, approximately 1.3 lb
03 - 1 medium red onion, sliced

→ Marinade & Seasonings

04 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes, optional

→ For Serving

11 - 2 cups cooked basmati or jasmine rice
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
13 - Lemon wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes.
03 - Add chicken thighs to the bowl and toss thoroughly to coat with marinade. Remove and set aside on a clean surface.
04 - Add cauliflower florets and sliced red onion to the remaining marinade in the bowl. Toss well to ensure even coating.
05 - Spread cauliflower and red onions evenly across the prepared sheet pan. Nestle chicken thighs among the vegetables.
06 - Roast in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and cauliflower is golden and tender.
07 - While roasting, prepare rice according to package instructions if not already cooked.
08 - Divide cooked rice among serving plates. Top with roasted chicken and vegetables. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The cleanup is practically nonexistent, which means you can actually relax after dinner instead of standing at the sink
  • That smoky paprika marinade works double duty, infusing both the meat and vegetables with layers of flavor
02 -
  • Crowding the pan leads to steaming instead of roasting, so use two pans if necessary for proper browning
  • Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving, or all those delicious juices will end up on your plate instead of in the meat
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before tossing it in the marinade, otherwise the oil will not stick properly and you will miss out on caramelization
  • Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly, so let it sit out for 20 minutes before it hits the oven
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